Report unsanitary spas

Q. I went to a nail salon in Anaheim this weekend to get a spa pedicure. A new customer walked in and the owner let her use the same spa chair that I just used without cleaning it. Is there a number I can call to complain about them?

— Maria Mijares, Anaheim

A. State law requires workers to clean foot spas with soap, water and an EPA-registered disinfectant after each use. In addition, there is a specific procedure for cleaning the spa every week and every month.

You can find all this information at www.barbercosmo.ca.gov. You can also file a complaint with the Board of Barbering & Cosmetology at the same Web site or call their enforcement division at 916-574-7574.

"In many ways we rely on people to tell us stuff like this," said Kevin Flanagan, spokesman for the California Department of Consumers Affairs.

Every salon is required to have a state license and histories of complaints are filed with the board, Flanagan said.

You can check the salon's license at the Web site or call 1-800-952-5210. You can also get the salon's disciplinary history at that number.

Check the salon first before you accept any manicure or nail services, Flanagan said.

Here are some things you should know:

•The salon's license should be posted prominently in the reception and each operator's license should also be posted in plain view at his or her work station.

•The Board's Health and Safety poster is required be displayed in the reception area.

•You have every right to ask the operator to explain the disinfection procedures before a service begins.

•In addition to disinfecting tools and instruments, operators are required to wash their hands before their next client. They should also ask their clients to wash their hands.

•Licensees must wash and disinfect all tools and instruments before they can be used on customers.

•Make sure the operator never uses the same tools on you that were just used on someone else without first disinfecting them. If an item cannot be disinfected (such as a nail buffer block or an emery board) it must be thrown away immediately after use.

Q.I believe I've been discriminated against. Where can I file a complaint?

A.Contact the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which is the state agency that handles complaints of unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

For information on filing a complaint, visit the agency's Web site at www.dfeh.ca.gov or call:

•1-800-884-1684 for employment and public accommodations complaints.

• 1-800-233-3212 for housing complaints.

This is my last column because I'm moving on to a new assignment. Still, keep your questions coming but direct them to Kimberly Edds who can be reached at kedds@ocregister.com or 714-796-7829.

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